This is something my dad said to me often growing up. I never really understood what he meant until I started running my own consulting business three years ago. As I entered the vast and whizzing world of entrepreneurship and consultancy, I was shocked by the number of people who just didn’t show up – for deadlines, meetings, emails, action items…you get the gist. As I began building my business, it became clear to me that one of the real distinctions between others and me is that I am a big believer in the importance of showing up. It’s not just about being physically present somewhere, it’s about doing what you say you’re going to do and following through. Your ability to show up reflects other qualities such as motivation, reliability, and accountability. Moreover, it shows that you take action. Action makes all the difference. It’s easy to talk a good game, but can you actually deliver? That’s the true test. There have been countless nights when I’ve entertained excuses to skip a networking event because I was too tired, or bail on a coffee date because I didn’t have the time. There have been deadlines I was sure no one would notice if I missed, or ideas that weren’t my responsibility to capture and share. And yes, I’m not perfect, everyone once in a while I succumb and lay on the couch drinking wine and watching Netflix. But more often then not, I’ve followed the principle of “just show up”. Stay for one drink, talk with one person, write up and send out those notes (even if no one asked for them). Why? For one, nothing can happen unless you take action – period. Secondly, part of success if serendipity – you can’t predict who will refer you to your next gig or throw your name in for your next job. Thirdly, it’s impossible to stand out if you’re just following the status quo along with everyone else – if you want to be noticed you have to do something different. It’s easy to tell yourself into believing that no one will notice or care. That rational is partially true, so if you want a different result you’ve got to SHOW...

A few days post WDS (World Domination Summit) 2013 and I’m still processing the whirlwind of emotions, experiences, ideas that have full on flooded my heart and mind. This was my second year at WDS, and while the experience was very different from the first, the impact has been just as profound. This morning I spent a few hours reading through some of the post event blogs/stories shared by other attendees. There was a common theme amongst almost all of them: awe, inspiration, and excitement. While reading these, I become acutely aware of something missing – something I am feeling that hasn’t been mentioned: fear. I am scared shitless. I’m not saying this because I’m looking for reassurance, but because I think it’s important to acknowledge that this is SCARY SHIT. Meeting your greatest potential as an individual and contributor in the world is, in my opinion, the huge order – and with the enormity of that comes a healthy dose of fear. Note that I use the word healthy, I’m going to borrow from one Gretchen Rubin’s golden nuggets here: “Fear is real and normal.” I’ve been so busy running away from fear; I’ve been ignoring that it’s been trying to tell me. In this case, fear is one of the surest ways I know I’m on track. It keeps me alert, and if I look at it carefully I recognize that it’s here because I’m scratching at my shame and poking at the deepest core of myself (hat tip: Donald Miller). What if I chicken out? What if, after a few days, weeks, months, I default back to self-numbing with crappy TV and distract myself with endless to-do’s and task lists? What if I’m just a big old scaredy cat that’s going to dream big and live small? That’s what I’m up against – the old me that’s been letting my #CounterMind drive this train for 32 years. I know that these fears aren’t my truth but they’re there, just the same. The truth is, I’m in charge of who I am and who I become. But sometimes, I need to double check under the bed for monsters just to be sure. I’m curious – is anyone else having a similar post #WDS2013 reaction/experience? What does fear mean to you? How do you manage/cope with...